Rollin’ on the River

Spring is coming, and it is time to dust off your rollerblades and get ready to start training for the first-ever Rollin’ on the River [RotR] Inline Marathon, presented by the Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau. This new event will take place through the streets of Grand Forks on Saturday, August 27, 2011. The Marathon includes a professional half marathon, recreational full marathon and recreational half marathon.

Over 350 locals were out on Sunday, March 13, to “Skate the Alerus”. This free event, which was a precursor to RotR, allowed people to start their training early…or just have fun learning to skate.

Not only will there be the marathon, but a number of other events are being held in conjunction with RotR, on Friday, August 26, including:

Keep the Ball Rollin’ Golf Tournament

Rockin’ Rollin’ Rally in Lincoln Drive Park

Pasta Dinner

Now I have no idea how to rollerblade; in fact, I really don’t have any athletic ability. But I am even going to buy a pair of inline skates and attempt to learn this sport without [hopefully] breaking a bone. The idea for RotR started with a small group of like-minded individuals getting together and talking about creating a unique event that would promote health and wellness, while simultaneously having a great time and celebrating the characteristics of Grand Forks [few hills]. Portions of the proceeds will be shared with the Grand Forks Parks & Recreation Foundation and the Perry Nakonechny Youth Sports Fund.

This new event in GF will be a blast! Even if you don’t skate, which I don’t- yet!- I think the community activities will be fun to take part in. I hope they have another community skate at the Alerus before the evnet this year…that brought so many people out to the Alerus to get some exercise, get theirkids out of the house on a winter day and try a new activity. Besides the Rollin Marathon, there will also be the last Blues on the Red Music series going on downtown on Saturday night in Town Square and it is also Beer Fest in the afternoon at the Alerus Center south parking lot.